Buoy for storing rope connected to an underwater article

Abstract

A buoy for storing rope connected to an underwater article such as lobster pot comprises a buoyant casing having two side portions connected together and a reel rotatably mounted between the side portions and carrying a length of rope one or both outer ends of which are connectible to the lobster pot or the like article. A central portion of one end of the reel is accessible from a side of the buoy through the adjacent casing side portion, and this one end has a non-circular configuration adapted to be engaged by a winding device such as a so-called "pot-hauler". The side portions may be connected together by posts. An end of rope may be connected to the reel by a swivel link so that when the rope is fully paid out the buoy can remain on the surface of the water and can rotate relative to the rope. The buoy is preferably made with two identical side portions of plastics material, and may have rigid molded buoyant foam material held between the side portions.

We claim: 
     
       1. A buoy for storing rope attachable to an underwater object such as a lobster pot comprising: (a) two identical casing portions each comprising a single piece of plastics material designed for one-step molding, said casing portions being C-shaped and symmetrically arranged with their end portions together each casing portion have an inwardly projecting sleeve bearing and each portion having a recess, which recesses together provide an outlet for said rope, the two sleeve bearings being aligned and co-axial, said casing portions each having inwardly directed posts which have spigots and sockets at their ends with the spigots of a first casing portion being arranged to register in the sockets of the other side portion; and   (b) a reel for carrying said rope mounted between said casing members and having a shaft with end portions rotatable in said sleeve bearings.   
     
     
       2. A buoy according to claim 1, wherein said posts include a pair of posts on opposite sides of said outlet for said rope. 
     
     
       3. A buoy according to claim 1, wherein said casing portions together define a collar which holds the lower end of a mast projecting upwardly from the buoy. 
     
     
       4. A buoy according to claim 1, further comprising symmetrically shaped pieces of rigid foam material held between said casing portions, and which together define a recess for the reel. 
     
     
       5. A buoy according ot claim 1, having brake means manually movable laterally in one of siad casing portions and effective when in its innermost position to inhibit rotation of the reel. 
     
     
       6. A buoy according to claim 1, wherein said reel has two end flanges, and having brake means manually movable laterally in one of said casing portions and effective when in its innermost position to inhibit rotation of the reel, said brake means being provided by a conical member having its apex capable of being held against the outer surface of at least one flange of said reel which flange has spokes engaging with said brake means. 
     
     
       7. A buoy for storing rope attachable to an underwater object such as a lobster pot, comprising: (a) two identical symmetrically arranged casing portions each comprising a strap part of plastics material designed for one-step molding, said casing portions being C-shaped and oppositely arranged so as to have their upper ends close together, each casing portion having an inwardly projecting sleeve portion, the two opposed sleeve portions being aligned and co-axial, said casing portions each having inwardly directed posts which have spigots and sockets at their ends with the spigots of a first casing portion being arranged to register in the sockets of the other side portion;   (b) a reel for carrying said rope mounted between said casing members and having a shaft with end portions rotatable in said sleeve bearings; and   (c) two identical pieces of rigid foam material shaped and symmetrically arranged to define a recess for said reel and having their central areas held between said casing portions,   and wherein said posts include posts above and below said recess for the reel and spaced from the upper and lower end of the buoy.   
     
     
       8. A buoy according to claim 7, wherein the uppermost of said posts is hollow to provide a recess communicating with the exterior of the buoy and provides a holding means suitable for insertion of fingers. 
     
     
       9. A buoy for storing rope connected to an article such as a lobster pot which is to be deployed underwater, comprising a buoyant casing having two side portions connected together, a reel having a shaft rotatably mounted between said side portions and carrying the rope, wherein one side portion has an aperture to provide access to one end of said shaft from a side of the buoy, said one end having a non-circular recess adapted to be engaged by a winding means independent of the buoy structure, and wherein said rope is connected to said reel by means of a link located within a transverse bore in the reel and held by means which ensures that the link is at all times rotatable within said bore, whereby when the rope is fully paid out from the reel the buoy is free to rotate relative to the rope. 
     
     
       10. A buoy for storing rope connected to an article such as a lobster pot which is to be deployed underwater, comprising a buoyant casing having two side portions connected together, a reel having a shaft rotatably mounted between said side portions and carrying the rope, wherein one side portion has an aperture to provide access to one end of said shaft from a side of the buoy, said one end having a non-circular recess adapted to be engaged by a winding means independent of the buoy structure, and wherein said side portions each comprise a single piece of plastics material designed for one-step molding, said side portions being of C-shaped and symmetrically oppositely arranged to define a recess for the reel, and each side portion having an inwardly projecting sleeve portion with the two opposed sleeve portions being aligned for holding said shaft, and each side portion having inwardly directed posts with end formations fastenable to the end formation of an opposed post. 
     
     
       11. A buoy according to claim 10, wherein said side portions are identical moldings, and wherein said posts include spigots and sockets with each spigot of a first side portion fitting within a socket of the other side portion.